GM offers loan cars as Volt battery fires investigated
General Motors is offering free loan vehicles to Chevrolet Volt owners concerned about battery fire risks, after US safety regulators launched a formal investigation.
General Motors (GM) has responded to safety concerns about its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid by offering free, indefinite loan vehicles to owners who are worried about potential battery fire risks. This move follows an ongoing safety investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which was launched after two Volt battery packs caught fire days or weeks after crash tests. The fires did not occur immediately after the crashes, but rather after a delay, raising questions about the safety of the Volt’s lithium-ion battery system.
Background: Chevrolet Volt Battery Fire Concerns
NHTSA Investigation and Crash Test Details
The NHTSA opened a formal investigation into the Chevrolet Volt in late 2011. The investigation was prompted by a fire that broke out three weeks after a Volt had undergone a crash test in the spring of that year. In December, the NHTSA attempted to replicate the circumstances by subjecting three Volt battery packs to similar crash conditions in a laboratory setting. Of these, one battery caught fire a week after the test. The delayed onset of the fires suggested that damage sustained during the crash could lead to short circuits or other issues in the battery pack over time, rather than causing immediate ignition.
Despite these incidents in controlled settings, neither GM nor the NHTSA have reported any fires involving Volts in real-world road accidents. The fires observed so far have only occurred in laboratory or post-crash test scenarios, not during normal vehicle operation or after actual traffic collisions.
GM’s Response: Customer Reassurance and Safety Measures
In response to the investigation and growing customer anxiety, GM North America president Mark Reuss wrote to every Volt owner in the United States. In his letter, he emphasised that the Volt remains a five-star safety-rated vehicle and reassured owners that their safety is GM’s top priority. To further support customers, GM offered free loan vehicles to any Volt owner who felt uneasy about driving their car. This offer is open-ended, with no set time limit, and applies to all of the more than 5,000 Volts sold in the US by October 2011.
Additionally, GM has updated its post-crash procedures. After the first fire incident, the company began sending engineers to drain the battery pack of any Volt involved in a real-world crash. According to GM, this process eliminates the risk of a delayed fire by removing residual energy from the battery. It was noted that the NHTSA’s crash-tested Volts had not had their batteries drained after impact, which GM believes contributed to the fires observed in the laboratory tests.
What Chevrolet Volt Owners Should Know
- Owners who are concerned about the safety of their Volt can request a free loan vehicle from their local Chevrolet dealer.
- No fires have been reported in Volts that have been involved in real-world crashes.
- Draining the battery after a crash is now standard procedure for all Volts involved in accidents.
- The NHTSA’s investigation is ongoing, and there has been no recall or mandatory hardware change announced as of late 2011.
- GM continues to maintain that the Volt’s safety performance in real-world conditions remains strong.
Impact on Volt Sales and Company Actions
Despite the investigation and the publicity surrounding the battery fires, GM’s sales figures for the Volt remained steady. The company had sold around 5,000 units by October 2011 and was on track to meet its production targets for the year. GM is working closely with regulators to address safety concerns and has not announced any recall or design changes to the Volt at this stage. The company’s proactive approach, including the offer of loan vehicles and changes to post-crash procedures, is intended to maintain customer confidence and ensure the continued success of the Volt.
Ongoing Investigation and Industry Consequences
The NHTSA’s investigation into the Volt’s battery safety is still ongoing. The agency is examining whether the delayed fires pose a significant risk to consumers and whether further regulatory action, such as a recall or additional safety requirements, is necessary. The situation is being closely watched by both the automotive industry and government regulators, as the outcome could influence safety standards and procedures for other electric and hybrid vehicles in the future.
For now, GM continues to emphasise the Volt’s strong safety record in real-world use and is taking steps to reassure both current and prospective customers. The company’s actions may also serve as a reference point for how other automakers address emerging safety concerns with new technologies.
